Device for introducing solid materials into molten metals



Feb. 12, 1952 E. w. PIERCE 7 2,585,404

DEVICE FOR INTRODUCING SOLID MATERIALS INTO MOLTEN METALS Filed March 6, 1950 /omuxerzw Patented Feb. 12, 1952 OFFICE DEVICE FOR INTRODUCING soLm MATE- RIALS INTO MOLTEN METALS Earl W. Pierce, Chlcago, 111., assignor to United States Steel Company, a corporation of New Jersey Application March 6, 1950, Serial No. 147,787 1 Claim. (CL 266-34) This invention relates to improved devices for introducing solid materials, such as deoxidizers, into molten metals.

An object of the invention is to provide improved devices which by their weight and density alone are capable of holding a buoyant solid material submerged in molten metal until the material dissolves.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved devices which comprise a heavy elongated body and a container, the body having sufficient weight and density to hold the container submerged in molten metal and being easily handled, as from a crane hook.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention, I have provided improved details of structure, a preferred form of which is shown in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a device which embodies features of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of the device taken at a right angle from Figure 1; and

Figures 3 and 4 are horizontal sectional views taken on lines IIIIII and IV-IV respectively of Figure 1 The drawing shows a device which comprises an elongated body It, an attaching eye l2, and a container l3. The body is heavy and is of sufiicient density to sink in the molten metal with which the device is used. For example, a steel billet of 8" by 8" cross section and 14 feet long forms a satisfactory body when the device is used with molten steel at its casting temperature in conventional 100 ton ladles. Eye I2 is pivoted to the upper end of body l on a bolt I l and is adapted to receive a crane hook l5 for suspending the device. Preferably a handle plate It surmounts the eye and has hand holds II for manipulating the eye. The body is of suflicient length so that, when the eye is suspended from a crane hook above a ladle of molten metal, the lowerend of the body can be submerged well beneath the surface of the metal.

Container l3 preferably is formed of a short length of metal pipe which has top and bottom plates l8 and I9 fastened therein. Conveniently the pipe can have removable bottom cross bars on which the bottom plate rests (Figure 4) and removable upper cross bars 2| above the top plate (Figure 3). The top plate has a passage through which the lower end of body l0 extends, and this lower end has a transverse passage through which a bolt 22 is inserted for holding the container from slipping past the body. The

2 sides of the container have slots 23 to enable the material in the container to dissolve.

In operation the container I3 is filled with chunks of whatever solid material S is to be added 5 to the molten metal, for example, calcium silicide or aluminum for deoxidizing steel. The material ordinarily is buoyant in the molten metal. The container may have a shield of sheet metal, not shown, for preventing premature dissolution of the material, as known in the art. The container after filling is attached to its top plate l8 and to the lower end of body It.

Crane hook l5 carries the device thus assembled above a ladle of molten metal and lowers the container into this metal. For proper addition of the material, it is essential that the container be well below the surface of the metal. The weight and density of the body are sufficient to hold the container submerged, thus eliminating any need for manually or mechanically forcing the container beneath the surface of the metal. The container dissolves along with the chunks of material therein. The body is then withdrawn and ordinarily can be re-used.

From the foregoing description it is seen that I have provided a device of simple construction for introducing solid materials to molten metal. The device is handled easily by equipment usually present around ladles and it eliminates any need for manually or mechanically forcing the material into the metal.

While I have shown and described only a single embodiment of the invention, it is apparent that modifications may arise. Therefore, I do not wish to be limited to the disclosure set forth but only by the scope of the appended claim.

I claim:

A device for introducing deoxidizers to molten steel in ladles comprising an elongated steel billet. an attachment eye on the upper end of said billet for suspending the device from an overhead crane, and a container having perforated side walls, a bottom wall, and a top wall, said top wall having a passage receiving the lower end of said billet, means extending from the sides of said billet below said top wall for holding said top wall from slipping past the lower end of said billet, and a pair of rods extending across the side walls adjacent their upper end above said top wall, said billet being of a length to extend from an overhead crane to well below the top of a ladle and having sufllcient weight and density to hold the container and its contents submerged.

- EARL W. PIERCE.

(References on following page) 3 nmnmczs mm The following references are of record in the file of this potent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 563,769 Howard July 14, 1896 1,348,457 strasser Aug. 3, 1920 1,443,920 Levy Jan. 30, 1923 Number 4 Name mu Mattice Oct. 27, 1925 Connor Mar. 11, 1930 e 7 Kelly Feb. 27, 1934 Jackson Mar. 13, 1934 FOREIGN PATEN'I'B Country Date Great Britain Dec. 17, 1930 

